Image
Black‑and‑white architectural drawing of a Gothic church with a square central tower, buttressed walls, and rows of arched windows; a low nave extends on both sides, and a few small figures and gravestones appear in the foreground churchyard.
Leeds Libraries
Wed 7 Oct 2026
Ralph and John Went to Church: Ralph Thoresby & John Lewis, the first recorded Black person in Leeds
Talk
Heritage
All Library Events
Leeds 400

On February 1 1708 a remarkable thing happened - Ralph and John went to church. Ralph was Ralph Thoresby, the Leeds antiquarian and diarist. John was John Lewis, a servant and the first recorded Black person in Leeds. How were the two linked? What brought John to Leeds? And what connections did Ralph have to the Caribbean? In this talk Danny Friar answers those questions and more when he tells the story of when Ralph and John went to church.

Part of the Leeds Libraries programme for Leeds400

Calverley Street
Leeds
LS1 3AB
United Kingdom

53.8011621, -1.5490969

    Date
    Wed 7 Oct 2026
    18:00 - 19:00

    Ticket price

    Accessibility
    Dementia friendly
    Accessible toilet
    Baby changing facilities
    Wheelchair accessible
    Assistance dogs welcome
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